COUNTY FAMILIES OF BRECONSHIRE.
PHILIPS, Mrs. Sophia Hardman, of Swernvale, Breconshire.
Widow of the late Hardman Philips, Esq, Gwernvale. Mrs. Philips was dau. of the Rev. Edward Lloyd, MA, of Fairfield, and Perpetual Curate of Sankey, Lancashire, who was son of John Lloyd, Esq., of Glynbrochan, Montgomeryshire; was m. to Mr. Philips, August 14, 1821, and had issue 5 sons and 1 dau. Mr. Hardman Philips, b. 1785, was son of John Philips, Esq., of Bankhall, near Stockport, Lancashire, and descended from one branch 0f the extensive and well-known family of Philips, now represented in its principal branches by Sir George Philips, Bart, of Weston House, Warwickshire, and R. N. Philips, Esq , M.P., of the Park, Manchester. The ancestor of the Philipses left Wales in the reign of Edward VI., and settled at Heath House, Cheadle, Staffordshire, which has continued to be the seat of one branch down to the present time. Mr. Philips was one of the Pioneers of the State of Pennsylvania, North America, whither he proceeded in his twenty-fifth year. He purchased, in 1811, in that State, a large tract of forest country, celebrated for its timber and bituminous coal (the latter first discovered by the purchaser), consisting of 75,000 acres, where he founded the settlement of Philipsburg, called after his name, and since grown to a large town, with a thriving population. The owner, in 1844, sold his estates in America, and returned to this country. He d. at Gwernvale, 1855, having devoted his time since his return from the States to the cause of education and general improvement in his immediate neighbourhood.
Residence: Gwernvale, Crickhowel, Breconshire.
Arms: Sable, a lion rampant, or, inter seven fleurs de lis; a canton, ermine.
Crest: A demi-lion rampant ducally crowned, holding in paw a fleur de lis.
Motto: Simplex munditiis.
Note.—Gwernvale, the residence of Mrs. Philips, commands one of the most lovely prospects in the Vale of Crickhowel. It is seen on the right of the view given in the engraving of the ancient gateway, the entrance to the mansion of the Herberts of Crickhowel. Gwernvale was first built by Dr. Samuel Croxall, an author of some eminence, who for a time resided there; but the present mansion is of much later date; it was erected by T. Everest, Esq., who purchased the place from a distant relation of Dr. Croxall. As kept by Mrs. Philips it is one of the most elegant residences in the neighbourhood.
Source: Annals and Antiquities of the Counties and County Families of Wales, By Thomas Nicholas, M.A., Ph.D., F.G.S., Vol. I, London, 1872, Pgs. 117-118
-(copy presented to Harvard College Library)
